Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 72% approval rate on record since February 2023 provides a stable baseline derived from 986 decisions. When looking at the latest reporting period, the 70% approval rate sits 2 points below the San Juan office average of 72%. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your specific hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Quant's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Maria E. Quant has shifted since February 2023. Starting with an 82% approval rate in 2023, the data shows 75% in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 70% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 986 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent volume of activity. The latest period aligns with the recent trend, suggesting a stabilization in the decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Quant's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the San Juan hearing office
Maria E. Quant's most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office, which serves you across Puerto Rico. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 72%, reflecting the local administrative environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Juan
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Juan hearing office, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates for this bench range from 62% to 88% on their records. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
The 70% latest-period approval rate is 2 points lower than the San Juan office average of 72%. While this variance exists, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build a case tailored to the standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift from an 82% approval rate in 2023 to 70% in the most recent partial fiscal year. This trend is based on 986 total decisions on record since February 2023. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any judge at the San Juan office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your limitations are clearly documented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Maria E. Quant has approved 72% of cases since February 2023, your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete before your hearing date.
